Picture frame holder



March 29, 1949. 'A. D. SCULLY 7 2,465,400

Filed Dec. 11, 1945 r I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 YPICTUREFRAME HOLDER AZEXANDERflSCl/ZZ'Y INVENTOR BY% LWI Mendy ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 29, 1949 Alexander I). Scully, New York, N. Y.

Application December 11, 1945,- Serial No. 634,266

Claims. (Cl. 248-34) My invention relates to'picture frame holders and has particular reference to holders or stands for'pictures such as photographs, mirrors, etc.

My invention has for its object to provide a "picture frame holder or stand so constructed, "-that -a framewith a picture can be easily and convenientlyplacedzon the stand, and will be held in a substantially vertical or inclined position.

Another object of my-inventionis to provide a picture frame holder having front brackets for retaining the picture frame on the stand, the brackets being rotatively supported on the frame so that they can be moved outwards for placing the frame on the holder, and will retain the frame when turned back into their operative position, also that the brackets can be removed and replaced with brackets of another design.

Another object of my invention is to provide a picture frame holder of a general character as indicated above, which will be of an ornamental design, forming an attractive article.

In a modified device I provide a slotted outer frame on a bracket adapted to receive an inner frame with a replaceable photograph or a similar picture.

My invention is more fully described in the accompanying specifications and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my picture frame holder partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a front View of a modified picture frame holder;

Fig. 5 is a top view of an outer frame showing a slot for an inner frame;

Fig. 6 is a front view of an inner frame; and

Fig. 7 is a side view of the same.

My picture frame holder as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a base I stamped of sheet metal or made of a suitable plastic composition and provided with ornamental projections 2. The upper side 3 of the base i is inclined toward the rear as shown in Fig. 3 for supporting a picture frame l in an inclined position as shown in Fig. 3. The frame is retained at the front by brackets 8 preferably of an ornamental shape as shown and by an ornamental front barrier l. The brackets have disc-shaped or round bases 9 r0- tatively fitted in corresponding round slots ID in the base. The brackets may be turned outward for inserting the frame 4 in its place behind projections and then turned inward for engaging the marginal sides of the frame by the inner edges of the brackets as shown in Fig. 1. The brackets,

[if desired, can be entirely removed from the seats or slots iii in the base and replaced by brackets of a different design. The frame dis supported at the rear by a bracket H, also preferably of an ornamental shape. The bracket II is rotativ'ely 'mounted on a pin l2held in'lugs [3 extending from the base I. A. helical torsion spring I4. is mounted on the pin l2, one end of the spring resting at I6 against the bracket H for urging the bracket forward. The upper end of the bracket I! is pivotally connected at 18 to lugs 19 extending from a pressure plate 20 resting against the back of the frame 4.

The frame can be of any suitable shape or size as, for instance, for holding photographic pictures 5 x 7".

My holder can be used with ordinary picture frames, not necessarily specially made to suit the holder, and the holders can be made for various standard sizes of such picture frames.

A modified picture frame holder is shown in Figs. 4 to '7, specially adapted for smaller pictures such as made with 35 mm. films. It contains an outer frame 22, preferably made of a transparent plastic such as Lucite supported by removable brackets 23 on a base 24 and provided with a slot 25 open at the top, for an inner frame 26, preferably made of a colored plastic. A picture (not shown) is placed in a recess 2'? in the slot 25 and can be straightened out through a slot 28 at the rear of the frame. The frame 26 is preferably curved as shown so that it will resiliently press the picture against the outer frame 22.

It will be understood that various features and principles of each of the embodiments of the invention above described or referred to may be utilized or substituted in the other embodiments.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain particular preferred examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A picture frame holder comprising a base adapted to removably support a frame for a picture; ornamental side brackets rotatively supported on the base for rotation in the plane of the frame and adapted to engage the side front marginal portions of the frame when turned into anon-zoo their operative position; and a. rear bracket supporting the rear side of the frame.

2. A picture frame holder comprising a base adapted to support a frame for a picture; side brackets engaging the front side marginal portions of the frame, the lower portions of the brackets being of an arcuate shape, the base having corresponding arcuate recesses for the arcuate bracket portions for rotatively supporting the brackets, the brackets being thereby adapted to be turned outwards into inoperative positions disengaged from the frame; and a rear bracket on the base supporting the rear side of the frame.

3. A picture frame holder comprising a base adapted to support a frame for a picture; ornamental side brackets rotatively supported on the base for rotation in the plane of the frame and adapted to engage the side front marginal portions of the frame when turned into their operative position; a rear bracket rotatively supported on the base; and resilient means to urge the rear bracket into engagement with the rear side of the frame.

4. A picture frame holder comprising a base raised at the front and having an upper side inclined toward the rear adapted to support a picture frame in an inclined position; ornamental side brackets engaging the side marginal portions of the frame; an ornamental barrier at the 4 front of the base engaging the lower edge of the frame; a rear bracket movably supported on the base; and yieldable means to urge the rear bracket toward thte frame thereby pressing the frame against the side brackets.

5. A picture frame holder comprising a base adapted to support a frame for a picture; ornamental side brackets movably and adjustably supported on the base engaging front side marginal portions of the frame to a selected degree; a rear bracket rotatively mounted on the base; and resilient means at the rear bracket for urging the frame into engagement with the front brackets.

ALEXANDER D. SCULLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 279,941 Hagelberg June 5, 1883 1,034,621 Jacobus Aug. 6, 1912 1,892,014 Singer et a1 Dec. 27, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 689,508 France May 2'7, 1930 

